India vs New Zealand: 'Kill Gill' goes Twitter after Shubman smashes 54-ball ton in T20I decider

Shubman Gill joined an exclusive club on Wednesday, becoming only the fifth Indian to score a century in all three formats by smashing a 54-ball ton in the third and final T20I between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Opener Gill teed off in the middle and the slog overs, tearing the hapless Black Caps attack to pieces as the Men in Blue posted a mammoth total of 234/4 after opting to bat on a belter of a wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on the third India vs New Zealand T20I

Gill, who had smashed a scintillating 208 in Hyderabad earlier in the ODI leg of New Zealand’s ongoing tour, smashed 12 fours and seven sixes as he remained unbeaten on 126 off 63 deliveries — the highest T20I score by an Indian, surpassing Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup last year.

Gill’s knock, which helped dispel doubts over his credentials as a T20 batter, did set social media on fire, with #ShubmanGill the top trend on Twitter during the Indian innings.

Here are some of the top reactions to Gill’s knock:

 

Kill Gill#INDvNZ #INDvsNZ

— Momo Cricket (@momocricket) February 1, 2023

 

 

I was very keen to see how Shubman Gill converts that solid start into a big finish. This is a fabulous innings. That second fifty is just out of this world

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 1, 2023

 

 

There’s been a lot of talk about Shubman Gill’s style of play not matching the T20 template but this has been one hell of an innings 👏🏻 #INDvNZ

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) February 1, 2023

 

 

This is Shubman Gill’s year. Ups and downs will remain. Just enjoy. Too precious a talent not to succeed. #INDvsNZ #ShubmanGill

— Jamie Alter 😷 🇮🇳 (@alter_jamie) February 1, 2023

 

 

👑🏏 GILL AT HIS BEST! Shubman Gill becomes only the second Indian to have an ODI double century & a T20I century.

💙 It is well & truly the Shubman Gill era!

📷 BCCI • #ShubmanGill #INDvNZ #NZvIND #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/1OMI4PHuJD

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) February 1, 2023

 

 

Shubman Gill after he was bitten by greatness- #INDvNZ #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/NC2aS0f56O

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 1, 2023

 

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/QeEcFG9

Inaugural Women's Premier League auction to be held on 13 February

The Women’s Premier League auction is all set to take place on 13 February. News18 Cricketnext has reliably learnt that WPL franchises participating in the ongoing ILT20 in Dubai and SA20 in South Africa were not available in the earlier proposed dates – first week of February. The final of the IL20 takes place on 12 February and SA20 culminates with the title clash on 11 February in Johannesburg.

Four of the five WPL teams have presence in the ILT20 and two of them are also participating in the SA20. The teams participating in the two leagues voiced their concerns to the board.

“Yes, the auction will take place on February 13. The same will be communicated to the teams very soon,” a senior board official told News18 Cricketnext.

Teams participating in SA20 and ILT20 had issues of availability in the first week of February due to the ongoing commitments. Moreover, the teams haven’t got enough time to get their auction plans rolling as the owners were finalised only a week back on 25 January.

“Definitely there was a need of time too. Teams were decided only a week back so some time is always good to put the auction strategies and data base in place. We are not sure of the date yet but yes it’s unlikely to have everything in place for auctions in first week of February,” an official of the participating team told News18 Cricketnext.

The five teams are already operating in powerplay mode to put the support staff together for the inaugural edition, which is likely to begin in little over a month’s time. So far, as Cricketnext had reported earlier, Mithali Raj has been the only confirmed appointment and she is set to join Adani Group-owned franchise Gujarat Giants.

IPL GC meet soon

The IPL Governing Council is likely to meet this week and take call on issues demanding immediate attention. The GC hasn’t met after the team owners were decided last week and a meeting ahead of the auction is likely to take place this week.

“I can say that we will be meeting very soon to discuss everything – auction and other things. We last met when the teams were finalised. So there is a game (India-New Zealand T20I) today in the evening and once that is done, we will sit and discuss matters requiring immediate attention,” says IPL GC member Pragyan Ojha.

RCB put the scouting hat on for WPL team

“Dear women cricketers in Karnataka, this is your once in a lifetime opportunity to represent RCB in the Women’s Premier League.

If you’re a woman fast bowler who can bowl 130 kmph, then send in your bowling videos to rcbwomenscouting@gmail.com along with your contact details and our coaches will reach out to you.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanitha VR (@vanithavr)

Former India cricketer V Vanitha shared this post on Instagram and the same was also shared by RCB Head of Scouting, and former First Class cricketer, Malolan Rangarajan.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/TbgRf8N

India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20 LIVE Score: IND top order, NZ bowlers in focus in series decide

17:52 (IST)

India vs New Zealand Live

After India clean-sweeped New Zealand in the ODIs, the Blackcaps have made a strong comeback in T20Is and have posed a serious challenge to the hosts who are known to show no mercy to their guests. The Kiwis, however, won the first T20I and took the second T20I to the wire even with a modest target of 100 runs. The third T20I is expected to be a cracking contest at the largest cricket stadium in the world. Hopefully, the surface will be different from the other two venues, not allowing Hardik Pandya to get irked by the pitch curator. We will know in a while! Hello and Welcome to Live coverage of the final T20I in Ahmedabad - a T20I after which the Indian squad is not expected to get together soon again for the shortest format.

India’s young top order will be under pressure to deliver in the series-deciding third T20 International against New Zealand here on Wednesday.

It would be fair to say the trio of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Rahul Tripathi has not made their opportunities count in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and K L Rahul.

After the game on Wednesday, India don’t play a T20I for a long time, leaving the younger crop to make a statement before the focus shifts to the five-day format.

Kishan has not been able to find rhythm in his batting since his double hundred in Bangladesh while the turning ball has troubled Gill, who has not been able to replicate his ODI form in the shortest format. Tripathi, too, has wasted chances that have come his way in the absence of regular number three Kohli.

If it hadn’t been for Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, India would have struggled to chase down 100 on Sunday.

The surfaces in the series have attracted a lot of attention and it remains to be seen if the players get to negotiate another turning track at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

In the bowling department, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav playing together has helped India build pressure on the opposition. With the pitch offering a huge amount of turn, it was surprising that Chahal was used only for two overs after he dismissed opener Finn Allen.

After struggling with no-balls, Arshdeep Singh was back to his frugal best in Lucknow and that should give him a lot of confidence going into the decider.

With the series on the line, Pandya is unlikely to change the playing eleven despite clamour for inclusion of Prithvi Shaw, who made a national comeback with this series.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be expecting more from their middle order. Sensing an opportunity to win a rare series in India. the Blackcaps will be highly motivated for the challenge.

Glenn Phillips has not been at his destructive best but trust him to play a match-winning knock on Wednesday. ODI series sensation Michael Bracewell too is due for a game-changing knock. Number three Mark Chapman will also be looking to make a significant contribution.

New Zealand used as many as eight bowling options in the previous game with four spinners bowling their full quota of overs.

More than 200 runs were scored in the last T20 played here almost two years ago and, after the low-scoring affair in Lucknow, fans would be hoping that normal service is restored.

Teams

India: Hardik Pandya (captain), Suryakumar Yadav (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Dane Cleaver (wk), Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Benjamin Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips (wk), Michael Rippon, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.

With PTI inputs

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/cza9xo6

South Africa vs England, LIVE Cricket Score, 3rd ODI in Kimberley

Toss: South Africa won the toss and opted to field in the third and final ODI against England at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday.

The Proteas are eyeing a clean sweep against the ODI and T20I world champions, having won the first two games by 27 runs and five wickets respectively.

South Africa made three changes to the lineup — Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje getting replaced by Reeza Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi and Sisanda Magala respectively.

The Jos Buttler-led visitors, meanwhile, brought Jofra Archer in for his second game of the series, with Olly Stone sitting out.

South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

England: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Reece Topley

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/8aW6DFj

'See you soon India': David Warner's message ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

David Warner’s love for India is no secret. The Australia opener, part of the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, posted a message on his Instagram account expressing his excitement at coming back to the country.

Warner posted an Instagram story of himself with the message “See you soon India”.

In the photo, the left-handed batter can be seen with a big smile on his face as he flashes a thumbs up to the camera . Warner appears to be on a flight in the photo.

Warner had been in poor form in the past few months before he came back in style against South Africa last year. In December, the southpaw scored a double century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne against the Proteas. The Australia opener slammed 200 off 255 deliveries, with 16 fours and 2 sixes included in his knock.

The Australian bowling unit did not let South Africa gain an advantage in the contest, with Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon emerging as the stars of the game. The hosts ultimately won the fixture by an innings and 182 runs after South Africa were dismissed for 204.

In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India and Australia will face off for the first of the four Tests in Nagpur, from 9 February onwards. The second Test will be played in Delhi from 17 February. The third fixture will be held in Dharamshala from 1 March, while the final game will take place in Ahmedabad from 9 March. The four Tests will be followed by a three match ODI series.

The Indian squad for the first two matches of the series has been announced, with swashbuckling batter Suryakumar Yadav getting his maiden call-up in the format. Shubman Gill, who has been in good form recently is also part of the squad.

Australia Tour of India: Full Schedule

1st Test, Nagpur: February 9 – February 13

2nd Test, Delhi: February 17 – February 21

3rd Test, Dharamsala: March 1 – March 5

4th Test, Ahmedabad: March 9 – March 13

ODI Schedule

1st ODI: March 17, Ahmedabad

2nd ODI: March 19, Vizag

3rd ODI: March 22, Chennai

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/eg7LrS9

Arshdeep Singh and Ishan Kishan would be the next IPL superstars: Anil Kumble

Former India captain Anil Kumble have named Arshdeep Singh and Ishan Kishan as his choice for the next superstars in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The past 15 editions of IPL have witnessed seen remarkable performances that are etched in fans’ minds, and experts on JioCinema’s ‘Legends Lounge’ sat together to figure out who the next stars could be. ‘Next-Gen Superstars,’ the new episode, sees Kumble, Robin Uthappa, Chris Gayle, Scott Styris, and Parthiv Patel join Aakash Chopra in discussing who will carry the baton.

“Having worked closely with someone like Arshdeep, it’s wonderful to see him grow into what he’s done for India. I would look at Arshdeep as the next superstar bowler coming through. From a batting perspective, Ishan Kishan is someone who’s been wonderful in the opportunities he’s got. He got a double hundred and he’s someone who I think will be a superstar,” Kumble said.

Gayle agreed with Kumble on both players, with Parthiv also naming Arshdeep. He also named paceman Umran Malik and batsman Tilak Varma. “He’s quick and bowling well and already played for India. He’s someone who can be a superstar. Batting-wise, having seen Tilak Varma in the last couple of years, I had the opportunity to scout him and see the cricketer he has become. We’ve seen his batting ability, and he has the ability to go on and lead the side. He’s someone who comes across as a leader.”

Chopra praised Mumbai Indians’ track record of identifying and grooming talent. Uthappa praised Tilak Varma’s ability but provided an interesting name in the bowling department. “Arshdeep is No. 1 there but another one that’s impressed me in recent years that I’ve played against in domestic cricket is Mohsin Khan. The left-arm fast bowler – I think he bowls really well. He bowls very heavy balls, and they don’t seem like they’re coming because he comes off a short run-up. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Styris wanted to recognise players further down the pecking order in terms of national selection and experience and picked the Sunrisers Hyderabad pair of Kartik Tyagi and Abhishek Sharma. “I think he had a down year in 2022, but he showed enough the year before as a young man against the big names and the talented batsmen we know the IPL has. From a batting perspective, Abhishek Sharma has a lot of natural ability. He isn’t quite there yet but is further up the chain than where Kartik Tyagi is in terms of their development. I think this year’s IPL will be a big one for him.”

Chopra recognized other talented players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar to close out the spirited discussion.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/NxDW4dZ

Shreyas Iyer ruled out of Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener, Suryakumar and Gill to compete for his spot: Report

Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming India vs Australia Test series opener due to a back injury, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday. Iyer failed to recover from back spasms that kept him out of the ODI series against New Zealand. Iyer, who has been a consistent performer in his short Test career, was India’s stand out batter in the 2-0 series win in Bangladesh in December.

Iyer’s absence will also open one spot in the Indian batting order and the choice will be between Suryakumar Yadav, a career middle-order batter who has the X-factor, and Shubman Gill, who has mostly opened for the national team in Tests.

“When New Zealand came to India in late 2021, Shubman Gill was being considered for middle order as KL Rahul was supposed to open with Mayank Agarwal. Then Rahul got injured and Gill opened. Then he got injured again. He was being considered for middle order in red ball,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI.

With skipper Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Rahul being the first-choice openers in the squad, followed by Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at numbers three and four respectively, the number five slot becomes very important in the Indian context as that individual is expected to play the second new ball.

In the case of Gill, being a Test regular and having originally started his red ball career as a middle-order batter, certainly helps his case.

“When Rahul Dravid manned India A, Gill had played in middle order in a West Indies A tour where he had a double hundred in one of the Tests. To be fair, he was originally a middle order batter, who was converted into an opener,” the former national selector said.

In the case of Surya, his dominance against spinners on wickets offering turn is a key factor.

“In case Nathan Lyon gets to turn his off breaks big, then SKY can dismantle him with his footwork. But against Cummins, Hazlewood, Gill could be a better bet,” he added.

Iyer remains at the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/gp48qHu